REAL DEAD GHOSTS: 10 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2014 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Graham and Amber are a young married couple who promise to spend their anniversary in a secluded cabin away from work, friends and other distractions. But disappointments, secrets and regrets bubble to the surface when they’re haunted by past choices and future responsibilities. A modern day ghost story. Unfinished business kind of shit.

Show Times:

Fri 2/21 @ 10:15pm

Mon 2/24 @ 8:40pm

Sat 3/1 @ 10:00pm

Wed 3/5@ 7:05pm

Sat 3/8 @ 5:15pm

Answers by Jonathan A. Goldberg (Playwright)

1. Your tag line is out there on postcards and press releases so we know the PR version of what this play is about. But when you talk to your family and friends, how do you explain the show to them?

JG: Oh, I’ve given up trying to explain anything to friends and family.

2. Here’s a scenario: After the show some audience members go have a drink. What’s the part of the show do you hope they’re discussing?

JG: Page 27 line 5.

3. What drives your show – character, theme or plot?

JG: I’d say it’s a mix, but there are two very strong characters at the heart of the play and their relationship is the center that the play revolves around.

4. In rehearsals, read-thrus, or prior incarnations, what’s the one thing someone said about the show so far that made you (or the team) the most proud?

JG: It’s a world premiere and we’re early in rehearsals but I do enjoy that one of actors said the role scares them, that’s always good.

5. Let’s fantasize for a moment. Let’s take the “off-off” off. Imagine this show is on Broadway. Would that change the production itself?

JG: Oh sure then we could get paid.

6. Taking that one step further – after paying everyone what they’re worth of course, what is the most lavish, luxurious, pointless thing you would spend money on if there was no constraints?

JG: A giant self-assembling set.

7. Is there a scene, a moment, a gesture … anything at all in the show that you anticipate may get a completely different reaction depending on the audience that night?

JG: Several moments. I could tell you but that would spoil the reaction. I’ll report back at the end if you like.

8. What’s your favorite line from the show?

JG: “They think they’re so smart cause they were born in the 90’s! You know what else was born in the 90’s? Crystal Pepsi – the worst Pepsi — so fuck them!” It might not be my favorite but it works out of context.

9. Is the world of this play sustainable outside a theatre? In other words … do you think people live the way the characters do? Would you want a world where they do?

JG: Hopefully this play exists from the start to the end and that’s it. For all our sakes.

10. You scan the audience and you see a face that stops you dead in your tracks – who is it? And why are you shocked?

JG: Charles Ludlam because I think he’s an amazing playwright and he’s dead. I’d be very surprised if he showed up. But then again this play is called Real Dead Ghosts so . . . ghosts can show up as long as they pay -and not ghost dollars, real dollars.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH

In the THM virtual Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH which FRIGID Show do you take on? And what do you throw?

CHALLENGES: Let’s say Basic Help, since I’m also a Jerseyite, so I enjoy going up against my fellow Garden Staters.

THROWS: And what do we throw? We throw what ghosts always throw – rock.

ThanksREAL DEAD GHOSTSfor participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2014 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially ROCK in any and all challenges. You may win, you may lose – who knows! This is how it works in the crazy world of the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH!

Horse Trade Theater Group will present the 8th Annual FRIGID New York Festival at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Avenue and Avenue A) February 19-March 9. Tickets are available for purchase in advance at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling 212-868-4444.